Ever wondered what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

It has been estimated that just over 50% of all entrepreneurs went to University or College, depending on what country you reside in. So, around 50% of all entrepreneurs do it with barely any qualifications whatsoever, some did not even finish high school!

This is a nice message to get across to the children studying for their GCSE’s at the minute. Yes, higher education is a bonus but it is not an essential tool in the entrepreneur’s repertoire.
So what is?

There are those who seem to be born with a creative talent – able to see something missing from the market and create a prototype to fill said gap. There are those who are just too fiery and rebellious to work for an employer and so ruthlessly strut out on their own seeking out opportunity wherever they go. There are those who would like to do something differently and it is their compassion and approachability that make them capable of delivering top service and going that extra mile for each client. And, of course, there are those who combine these qualities and sit on our country’s rich list.

What skills do we see when we look closely at our young and mature entrepreneurs?

It is hard to compile a list of skills/ personality traits that fit entrepreneurs and this is where we find our answer to what makes them who they are. They do not fit in your standard mould and all possess a unique or highly refined trait that makes them stand out from the rest. That could be:

Charismatic – they are approachable and just seem to get on with everyone (Richard Branson)

Fearless – they are bold, powerful and decisive (Alan Sugar)

Ruthless – they do not stop – always searching for opportunity and expansion (Rupert Murdoch)

Talented – they see what we cannot – the future and what we will want next. Practically a prodigy (Mark Zuckerberg)

Innovative – they are always developing and creating new products/new ideas (Bill Gates)

Creative – they see the world in a different way and can show others their own take on the world (Walt Disney)

Ultimately, we can all work hard at these skills and add a little entrepreneur to our business but whether we can reach these heights is a personal dilemma. I do not think you have to be born with entrepreneurial skills to become one but you do have to have something the world will envy you for. Perhaps you can train your way towards that something or you have it and have not put it to its full potential. Seek out your inner entrepreneur and remember that 50% of the world’s best didn’t even go to University!

These following snippets were taken from a list compiled by Paul Hudson for Elite Daily, a piece entitled ‘100 Top Entrepreneurs who Succeeded without a College Degree’. The following were not big fans of higher education but you will recognise most of the names:

Abraham Lincoln: Lawyer, US president – Finished one year of formal schooling, taught himself trigonometry and read Blackstone on his own to become a lawyer.

Ansel Adams: World famous photographer – dropped out of high school.

Barbara Lynch: Chef, owner of a group of restaurants, worth over $10 million – dropped out of high school.

Charles Culpeper: Owner and CEO of Coca Cola – dropped out of high school.

Dustin Moskovitz: Multi-millionaire co-founder of Facebook – Harvard dropout.

James Cameron: Oscar winning director, screenwriter and producer – dropped out of college.

Kemmons Wilson: Multi-millionaire founder of Holiday Inn – high school dropout.

Ray Kroc: Founder of McDonald’s – dropped out of high school.

Richard Branson: Billionaire founder of Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Mobile, and more – dropped out of high school aged 16.

Steve Wozniak: Co-founder of Apple, billionaire – did not complete college.

Walt Disney: Founder of the Walt Disney Company – dropped out of high school at 16.

So now you have met the entrepreneur – were they who you thought? Are you capable of more than you have been taking on? Without risk there is no cultural reform – no technological revolution – no product reinvention. Take a calculated risk and see where it leads you…

By Jodie King